Manufacture of dump cars



Oct. 14, 1930. E. ALLEN MANUFACTURE OF DUMP CARS Filed Jan.

2, 1929 8 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR Oct. 14, 1930. l.. E. ALLEN MANUFACTURE OF DUMP CARS Filed Jan. s sheets-sheet 2.

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IENTOR ct. 14,1930. i.. E. A-LLEN 1,773,619

MANUFACTURE OF-DUMP CARS Filed Jan. 1929 a sheets-sheet s INYEITOR Oct. 14, 1930. L. E. ALLEN 1,778,619

MANUFACTURE OF DUMP CARS Filed Jan. 2, 1929 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 FA I INVENTOR 0d14, i930. L. E. ALLEN 1,778,619

MANUFACTURE OF DUMP CARS Filed Jah.' 2, 1929 S sneetsfsheet 5 9. 30 36 50 l ZI l/ l llillllflllll /fr/ .70 IV/ l l L l l NVENTOR a m Oct.. 14, 1930. L E. ALLEN MANUFACTURE 0F DUMP CARS Filed Jan. '2, 1929 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 n I Tl* lNvENToR je? M4 Oct. 14, 1930. V|...gl:. ALLEN 1,773,619-

MANUFAGTURE oF DUMP CARS Filed Jan. 2; 1929 s sneetsfsneet 7 I Oct. 14, 1930.H L. E. ALLEN 1,778,619

MANUFACTURE OF DUMP CARS Filed Jan; 2; 1929 a sheetsshee1 8 7,5 l\\\\ \&\

INVENTOR Patented Oct. 14, 1930 LEE E. ALLEN, OF NEW CASTLE, IPENNSYLVANA, ASSIGNOR TO 'PENNSYLVANIA ENGI-l NEERING. WORKS, OF VNEUW' CASTLE, PENNSYLVANIA, A COREORATION OF PENN- SYLVANIA MANUFACTURE or Duivrr cans Application ledV January 2, 1929. Serial No. 329,722.

This invention relates generally to dump cars and more particularly to dump cars of the type particularly adapted for transporting-slag froma furnace toa dump pit.

5 In the accornpanying4 drawings which illustrate the present vpreferred embodiment of my invention,the drawings being given by way oi illustration only and not by way of limiting Athe invention thereto,

Figure 1Vis a partiaiA side elevation of a slag car embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an endelevation of the slag car 15 showing the various positions the pot takes in the dumping operation; l

Figure 4; is a partial plan View, parts being shown in sect-ion, showing the operating means for dumping the pot;

Figure 5 is a detailV on an enlarged scale of the packing arrangement employed in the air and oil cylinders;

Figure 6 is an end elevation showing the air and oil operating cylinders, and the pipe 25 connection therefor;

Figure 7 is a partial plan View of the device shown in Figure 6, the 'air operating cylinders being shown only to their center line;

Figure 8 is an end elevation of the air and oil cylinders and the pipe connections therefor. 1t also shows the locking'means for preventing the pot from dumping; i

Figure 9 is a schematic view illustrating the arrangement i'or operating the vair and oil cylinders in `order to dump the pot;

\ Figure 10' is a detail view of a needle valve employed in connection with the oil system in order to regulate the speed of dumping of the pot;

Figure 11 shows in a somewhat diagrammatic manner the means for locking the pot so that it can not dump; y

Figure 12 is a detail sectional view of the means -for adjusting the pot with respect to the -ftrunnions for supporting it;

Figures 13 and 14 are detail views of a link which `co-operates with the trunnion oi' the pet the operating mechanism in order to turn the pot; v

Figure 15 Vis a sectional view illustrating the manner in which the pot supporting trame is connected to the bolster of the trucks in order `to decrease the danger of the pot and pot frame from over-turning; Y

Figure 16 is a cross section on the line XVI-XVI of Figure 17 illustrating the bumper blocks employed in removing skulls from the slag pot; and

Figure 17 is a frontelevation of the bumper block.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the slag pot 2 is supported by trunnions 3 mounted at 'their ends in end frames 1. The end frames are rigidly connected together by means of the longitudinally extending centerV frames 5, which are riveted at their ends tothe end frames as at 6. The center trames are reinforced by spreaders 7 which extend transversely oif the center frames asshown in Figure 2. Forward and rear platforms 8 ,and 9, respectively, are connected tothe end frames, and "the whole frame structure is mounted on'trucks 10 which are supported on the usual bolster and axles carried by the wheels 11 which run on a track 12. The pot frame is provided with the usual draft gear 13, train-line 14e, train-line coupling 15 and safety chains 16 which may be used in case e the draft gear becomes inoperative.

The trunnions 3 are formed intermediate their ends to conform to the shape of the slag pot 'which is supported thereby An adjustable mounting for the pot is shown in Figures 1 and 12. In accordance with this construction the trunnions 3 which intermediate their ends are formed of channel sections are arranged to co-operate with upper lugs 18 and lower lugs 19 provided on the pot. The lower surfaces of the trunnions 3 are provided with ears 2O which are pivotally connected by means of pivot pins 21 to supporting blocks 22 which rest on the lower lug 19 of the pot. The trunnions are further provided with bolts 23 which extend through openings formed in the trunnions and cooperate with the sides of the pot, as clearly shown in Figure 12 in order to maintain the `putin adjusted position, .Alook nut 25 is Cal provided to hold the bolt 23 in adjusted position.

The upper surfaces of the end frames 4 are machined to provide a smooth bearing for a track 26 on which wheels 27 secured to the ends of the trunnion may roll. The upper surfaces of the end frames 4 are also provided with racks 28 with which trunnion gears 29, secured to the ends of the trunnions, co-operate in order to dump the pot.

Means hereafter more fully described are provided for causing` the trnnnion gears to roll along the racks 28. From the structure so far described, it will be understood that when the trunnion gears 29 secured to the ends ot the trunnions are caused to move in contact with the racks 28. the trunnion 3 will be caused to move along the racks 28, and at the same time to turn about the trunnion as a pivot in order to cause the pot dump. The successive positions ot the po during the dumping operation are indicate-d in Figure 3 by A, B and C, respectively.

The trunnion gears 29 are caused to move along the rack 28 by the following mechanism. Mounted on the rear platform of the pot frame are two air cylinders 30 and two oil cylinders 3l as shown in Figure 4. Two interconnected air pistons 32 are provided to move within the cylinders 30. The means for interconnecting the air pistons is clearly shown in Figure 4 and comprises a spider having arms 33 at the outer ends of which are arranged lugs 34 provided with openings which receive guide rods 35, the guide rods being connected to the inner ends of the air cylinders as shown at 35 in Figure 7. The spider which connects the two air pistons 32 is further provided with a lug 36 arranged on the side adjacent the pot. which co-operates with a link 37 in order to move the gear 29 along the rack 28. The link 37 shown in detail in Figures 4, 13 and 14. lt comprises a strap portion 38 which surrounds the end of the trunnion 3, and a projecting lug portion 39 which co-operates with the recess provided in the lug 36 formed on the spider 33.

As the air pistons 32 are moved within the air cylinder 30, the trunnion gear 29 is moved across the rack 28. Since the trunnion gear 29 is rigidly secured to the end of the trunnion 3, this causes a turning movement et the pot. By reference to Figure it will be seen that when the pistons 32 are in the position indicated in the ligure, that is, at their e5;- treme right hand position within the cylin ders 30, the trunnion 3 is in the middle ot the rack 28. Vhen the pistons 32 are ca1 to move to the left hand of the cylinde the trunnion 3 is caused to move along the rack 28 toward the lett hand ot the rack and at the same time cause the pot to be dumped. However. with the link 37 in the position shown in Figure 4, it is not possible to dump .sition indicated in Figures 4 the pot in the opposite direction. It it is desired to dump the pot in a clockwise direction, when looking at the end of the trunnion 3 from the end of the slag car adjacent the air cylinders, it is necessary to uncouple the link 37 from the recess in the lug 36, cause the pistons 32 to move to the lett of the positions shown in Figure 4, rotate the link about the trunnion 3 and again connect it to the lng 36. ln this new position of the link 37 the pot can be dumped only in a clockwise direction. rllhis arrangement of the link 37 and the lug` 36 forms a construction which allows the pot to be dumped only in one direction when the link 37 is in one position.

In order to dump the pot in the opposite direction, it is necessary to uncouple the link, rotate it about the trunnion 3 and again couple it with the lug 36. This arrangement guards against accidents because of the fact that the operator' can always stand 0n the side of the pot opposite to that in which the pot is turned in dumping.

rThe oil cylinder has an oil piston 40 arranged therein, the oil piston being connected to the spider 33 so that the air pistons 32 and the oil piston 40 move in unison. As shown in the drawings, the air cylinder 30 and the oil cylinder 31 are integral with each other. but iI desired they may be former separately.

By reference to the schematic showing of Figure 9, the manner of operating the air pistons and oil pistons will be understood. lith the link 37 and air pistons 32 in the po* and 9, air is admitted into the right hand end of the air cylinder 30. This causes the air piston 32 to move 'from right to lett as indicated in Figure 9, which movement because oiE the connection between the lug 36 and the link 37 causes the trunnion gear 29 to move along the rack 28 and at the saine time to turn the pot in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 4.

The air and oil pipe system in shown schematically in. Figure 9 in which there is provided a main four-way air valve 4l, a twoway main oil valve 42, an oil needle valve 43 and an oil by-pass valve 44. Air pipes 45 and 45 lead from the four-way main air valve 4l to the opposite ends of the air cylinders. An oil pipe 46 is connected to the opposite ends of the oil cylinders 31 through the two-way valve 42 and the needle valve 43. A pipe 47 provides a by-pass for the oil needle valve when it is desired to rock the pot in order to remove skulls therefrom. When air is admitted to the right hand end of the air cylinder 30 in order to move the air piston 32 to the left and thereby cause rotation of the pot in a counter-clockwise direction, the oil piston 40 is caused to move to the left hand because of its connection with the airpistons. This movement o1" the Oil piston to vary the flow of oil through the valvetheref Aby providing "a cushionimg means for the air pistons `32 during the ordinary dumping of the pot.

However, if it is desired to remove skulls from the inside `of vvthe pot byc-ausing the upper edge of the pot to contact witli` the bumper blocks r48 shown in Figure 3, the by pass valve 44 is opened so 4that there is a substantially unrestricted iow of oil from one of the oil cylinders to the other, therebyv causing the pot to be rapidly rotated until the pot assumes tue position C shown in Figure 3, in which position the normally 4upper edge ofthe pot extends downwardly and contacts with the bumper block 48 mounted Von the center frame 5. The air issuing from the left hand cylinder 30 fiows through pipe 4o to the main air valve 41 and is exhausted through the exhaust pipe'49. The air for :i 'tern for actuating the pistons within their cylinders, `the air supplied through the train pipe 14 fiows vthrough a vmain shut-off air Vvalve 51 through a `pipe 141 into the Ymain four-way valve 41. FreinA the main fair valve 41 it passes to lthe right hand end of the-"air Cylinder through the pipe V45, moving the air and oil pistons to the left Ias shown in Figures 6 and 7 ,fand is yexhausted Yfrom the left hand end ofthe air cylinders through the pipe 45', from which it flow-s back to the main four-way valve 41 and is `exhausted through the 'exhaust pipe 49.

During the movement of the air piston '32 from 'right to left, theoil piston 40l is also caused to `move from right to 'left The oil in the left hand oi-l cyiinderf31 flows through pipe 46, valve 42, needle valve 43 Aand returns to Ythe right hand oil -cylinder Ythrough the pipe46. The speed with which the oilpasses through the needle valve determines 1the dumping speed of the slag pot. In ca'se it is desired to removefskulgls from the inside of the-slag pot by causingrthe pot to `tuirn rapid* ly kand be rapped against the bumper block 48, the by-pass valve 44 is opened, thereby `allowing the -oil to flow from the leftato the right `oil cylinder 31, "through ythe pipe 46, valve 42, valve 44, and into a by-pass provided inthe needle valveto the pipe 46', from which it is vdelivered to `the right hand cylin- `der A31. 1t wifllbe understood that when the valve 44 is open, fthe oil 'has an unrestricted flow from one `of the oil cylinders "31 to the other. The structure of the yneedlevalve 43 is shown iin `:detail in F igure 510. When itis desiredto cushion the action ofthe air pistons 32 in the air-cylinderV by causing the oil 'to flow from `one oil cl'yinder to the other through the needle valve 43, the oil enters theneedle valve 43 through the port 46a flowi ing in the ydirection @indicated by the arrow, :flows through the .passage f52 controlled by the needle 53 and is delivered through the port 54 to the pipe 46.

However, 'when skulls are being removed 3 from `the pot and the valve 44 is'open, the oil, instead of flowing through the needle valve fiows through the valve 44'and is delivered into the port 54 of the needle valve Athrough the by-pass connection 55 which i.-

communicates with `the pipe 56 shown in Figure 7 and which connects the valves 44 and The vmain air valve 41 and the oil shut-off valve 42 which control the operation of the airand oil pistons, and therefore the turning of the pot, are operated by a man standing at one side of the slag pot. These valves are operated through the handle y57 'and main shaft 58 which extends enti-rely vacross the dumping mechanism as shown in Figures 3, 6 and 8. The main shaft 58 which controls the operation of the main air valve 41 is Vconnected by links 59, V66 land 611 (shown in Figure 8), to the oil shut-od valve 42. Vhen the main air valve 41 is closed, the oil valve 42 likewise is closed. By this arrangement when the slag pot is in transit and no air is being used in order to dump the pot, the oil valve 42, because of its connection with air I vaive 41, Vis closed. This prevents the oil from flowing from one of the oil cylinders 31 to the other, thereby'preven-ting the air pistons V32 from moving, and in this manner preventing any turning movement of the pot. This manner of causing the oil valve 42 `to be closed when the air valve 41 is Closed, there` fore provides a safety means such that the pot is prevented from turning at all times except when the main air valve 41 is open. Y

In addition to the provision of 'a connec- A tion between the oil valve 42 andthe-air valve 41 in order to prevent the pot from turning unless the air valve is open, a second locking means is provided. This locking means is` shown in Figures 8 and 11. A rod 62 extends transversely of the dump body and is of such a length that the handles 63 arranged at ops posite -ends thereof may be turned by a man standing on either side of the tracks supporting the dump car. The rod v62 has `an eccentric portion 64 which is pivotally Vconnected to connecting rods 65. The connecting rods are pivot-ally connected to a boss 66 formed on the arm 67 which is arranged to pivot at 68. The upper ends of the arms 67 have a braking block 69 secured thereto. Upon turning the handle 63 the braking block 69, through the linkage previously described, is caused to contact with or be removed from contact with the guide rod 35 which guides the piston 32 in its movement within the air cylinder 30. The braking block 69 is of such a size that when the air piston 32 is at one end of the air cylinder, in which position the journals which support the pot will be in a position such that the pot is upright, the braking block G9 substantially fills all of the remaining space along the guide 35 which is not occupied by the collar 34- secured to the spider which connects the air pistons 32.

It will be understood that when the braking block 69 is in the position indicated in Figure S, that is in contact with the guide rod 35, the collar on the spider' is prevented from moving along the guide rod. This prevents the air cylinders from moving and therefore causes the pot to remain stationary. The present invention provides two means for preventing the pot from turning and thereby dumping out slag during transit.

In order to prevent leakage ot' air and oil between the air cylinder 30 and air piston 32, and between the oil cylinder and oil piston, I preferably employ the packing arrangement shown in Figure 5. An annular packing ring 70 is secured within the air cylinder 30 and is provided at its right hand end with an annular cup packing 71. The cup packing is maintained in place by an annular gland 72 secured to a shoulder 73 on the air cylinder by means of bolts 74. It air tends to leak between the cylinder and piston it causes the cup packing to expand thereby immediately closing up any opening between the cylinder and piston. Any other means than the cup packing' may be employed to prevent leakage between the cylinder and piston. For example, the usual piston and piston ring arrangement may be employed if desired.

One characteristic of slag cars heretofore known is that because of the relatively high center of gravity of the structure, there is possibility of tipping over the slag pot.

My invention provides a slag car in which the center of gravity is relatively low as compared with those previously known. The operating cylinders are below the center line of the trunnion gears 29 used in tipping the pot. I further provide against accidental tipping of the car body by securing the car body to the trucks on which the body is snpported. One means for securing the car body to the trucks is illustrated in Figure l5 in which the car body 75 and the bolster 76 are connected by a king pin 77 extending through the car body and bolster and held in place by a key 7 8 and Cotter pin 7 9. The bolster and car body are provided with cooperating recesses and projections SO and 8l in order to provide a secure seat for the body on the bolster. By this arrangement the car body and the trucks are secured to each other, thereby rendering it much more ditiicult to tip over the car body than if it were possible to tip the car body without tipping the trucks.

I have illustrated and described the present preferred embodiment of my invention. It is to be understood, however. that the invention may be otherwise embodied without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

l. A dump car comprising a pot supported by a trunnion having a trunnion gear and rack associated therewith, an air cylinder and piston and an oil cylinder and piston, a source of air supply for operating said air piston, means connecting' said gear and pistons, a pipe connecting opposite ends of the oil cylinder, a valve arranged in said pipe for regulating the speed of dunniing` the pot, and means for by-passing the oil from one end of the oil cylinders to the other around said valve, thereby enabling` the not to bc rapidly rotated and bumped in order to remove skulls.

2. A dump car comprising a pot supported by a trunnion having a trunnion gear and rack associated therewith, au air cylinder and piston and an oil cylinder and piston, a source of air supply for operating said air piston, means connecting said gear and pistons, an air valve for controlling said air piston, a pipe connecting opposite ends of the oil cylinder, an oil valve arranged in said pipe for regulating the speed ot dump ing the pot, and means for preventing` passage of oil to the opposite end of the oil cylinder when said air valve is closed.

3. A dump car comprising apot supported by a trunnion having a trunnion gear and rack associated therewith. an air cylinder and piston and an oil cylinder and piston, a source of air supply for operatingsaid air piston, means connecting said gear and pistons, an air valve for controlling said air piston, a pipe connecting opposite ends ot' the oil cylinder, an oil valve arranged in said pipe for regulating the speed of dumping the pot, said air and oil valves being operably connected so that when the air valve is closed oil cannot pass from one end of the oil cylinder to the other, thereby preventing the pot from turning.

4. A dump car comprising a pot supported by a trunnion having a trunnion gear and rack associated therewith.y a plurality ot air cylinders having interconnected pistons for moving said gear along said track to turn the pot, and a reversible link connection between said pistons and trunnion, the link being rotatable about the trunnion and shiftable laterally therewith while maintaining a fixed angular position.

5. A dump car comprising a pot supported by a trunnion having a trunnion gear and rack associated therewith, a plurality of air cylinders having interconnected pistons for operating said gear to turn the pot, a reversible link for connecting the pistons and trunnion having a collar portion surrounding the trunnion in which the trunnion can freely rotate, the link exerting a force on the trunnion in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the air cylinders.

6. In a dump car having a pot adapted to be tipped by a piston reciprocating in an air cylinder, the piston having a collar slidable along a guide rod, a braking mechanism comprising a braking bleek movable into (LO-operative relation with the guide rod to prevent movement of the piston, an actuating rod having an eccentric portion, and a link connected to the eccentric portion for actuating the braking block.

7. In a dumping car having lugs adapted to receive a trunnion for supporting the pot, a centering and clamping device for the pot comprising a block pivotally connected to the trunnion and contacting with one of the lugs7 and means formoving the pot relative to the trunnion.

8. In a dumping car having upper and lower lugs adapted to receive a channel shaped trunnion for supporting the pot, a centering and clamping device for the pot comprising a block pivotally connected to the trunnion adjacent its lower edge and contacting with the lower lugs, and means for moving the pot relative to the trunnion.

9. In adumping car having upper and lower lugs adapted to receive a channel shaped trunnion for supporting the pot, a centering and clamping device for the pot comprising a block pivotally connected to the trunnion adjacent its lower edge and contacting with the lower lugs, the upper edge of the trunnion being in contact with the upper lugs, and a screw extending through the trunnion and in contact with the side of the pot for moving the pot relative to the trunnion.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

LEE E. ALLEN. 

